We knock on the mansion door as the snow begins falling harder. The sky is gray and it looks like it’s going to storm, a perfect match to my damn state of mind.
I’m so glad I have a coat now though, it was getting brutal without one. The door opens and thankfully the security doesn’t “frisk” me this time. We’re directed to the dining room where the family and Ryland are eating breakfast. Noé speaks for both of us as I settle for nodding my greeting. I avoid Roman’s eyes at all cost, not daring to glance in his direction. Which is difficult since he’s right in front of me.
Why did we stop right here? Oh, because she wants to be a pain in my ass. Noé snickers at me avoiding Roman’s direction and I discreetly flick her off. She just snorts and I already know what she’s thinking.
My bad mood is back.
“Good morning, come sit and have breakfast.” Reuben’s wife has a warm smile this morning. A contrast to her sharp tongue and hard glare last time I saw her. She’s beautiful and I can tell that she’s held as high as Reuben. Noé moves to do as she told, sitting across from Emily. She’s avoiding looking at Noé like I’m avoiding Roman. Unfortunately, it only leaves one seat open, right across from Roman.
Yeah, no, not doing that.
“I’m fine with coffee.”
“Sit anyway, there are things we need to discuss.” Reuben’s smile is deceptively nice and I inwardly flick off the bored old man. He’s just doing this for his amusement. I don’t hide my scowl as I sit down, still not looking in Roman’s direction.
“What crawled up your ass?” Reggie asks, nudging me and I shake my head.
“Reggie language.”
“Sorry mom” I snicker at the grown man being reprimanded. I don’t think my mom scolded me for anything before she died. I’m sure she didn’t even know I was there half of the time.
It’s fascinating to see how families interact with each other. I take off my jacket, finally warmed up from the coffee and heat. Hopefully nobody points out...
“Damn, what the fuck happened to you?” Ryland’s loud ass mouth asks, drawing attention to me and I shoot him a cold glare. Emily stands abruptly from the table and it’s clear she’s pissed and upset.
“Excuse me” she leaves quickly and I reach past Reggie, slapping Ryland in the back of the head. Noé looks conflicted but since she’s following orders she’s not going to get up.
“Go.”
“No.”
“Go, I’ll take care of whatever you have to do, so go.”
“No.”
“Go, Noé.” She shakes her head, getting an attitude, saying “just leave it.” I roll my eyes and push her out of her chair, sending her colliding to the floor. She shoots me a glare, ready to go off but I just nod towards the door.
“You better move your ass before she leaves or else you’re going to be moping all day.” She nods, excusing herself and apologizing to the family before taking off.
“So, you and No-ow” Ryland rubs his head after I smack him again. I go back to sipping my coffee and shake my head. He’s not calling her that just because I am, that’s for damn sure.
“Learn when to keep your mouth shut Ryland. Besides, what makes you think Noé has anything to do with these?”
“Um because you’re calling her by her first name now.” I shrug, not confirming or denying anything.
“We live together, of course I call her by her name.” He opens his mouth to speak again and I glare before he can say something stupid. “Think before you speak Ryland.” I’ll knock his ass right now to keep him quiet.
He wisely shuts the fuck up and everyone goes back to talking casually. When Mrs. Stone and Rosie leave, Reuben gets serious.
“The shipment last night got intercepted. A security guard got cold feet and snitched. We’re working on getting him now but he’s currently being protected.” Alan stands as dapper as ever, going around the table and handing us all a folder. The first page is a picture of a security guard and all of his information. The second page is of 1 woman and 2 men.
“As you suspected, sir, this maid is in a relationship with one of Michael’s men. Hotel staff overheard her talking about working for him part-time. All 3 have been brought in for questioning.” Brought in for questioning? What are they, the police?
Reuben lights a cigar and we all wait for his orders. His joking nature is gone and his eyes are cold and calculating, much like Roman’s. Reggie on the other hand is texting on his phone like none of this concerns him. Noé did say he was spoiled.
“Where is Joe now?” The security guard.
“In his apartment, he’s on leave from work and has a guard assigned to him at all times. Sniping is possible but it’s a hard spot, 2 man job and Sparrow seems a bit…distracted.” Alan says and I shrug, looking at the file. That spot they picked is stupid, there’s a brothel with a clearer shot right into his apartment.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
“I can do it.”
“Are you sure? It’s over a mile away. Only Sparrow can hit accurately from that distance.” Reuben asks and I nod as I keep reading.
“Yeah, it’s fine, I’ve done it before. Sparrow trained me after all. Besides, I’m not going to use that building, I have a better place in mind.”
“I wanted you and Roman for questioning, that’s a little more important than some security guard and local pd.” Reuben rubs his beard and I put the folder down, having memorized it. I’d rather not work with Roman.
“I’m not good with people.” I’ve never done any questioning and I’d rather not start now. I’m not an interrogator, I’m nowhere near patient enough.
“Fine, Reggie and Alan will handle the interrogation. Snow and Roman will handle the security guard. Don’t get caught, shits already hot with your last job. When you’re done, report back to Alan.” Reuben stands from the table and I know there’s no point in arguing.
Ugh, fine, clearly there’s no avoiding Roman.
“Let’s get this over with.” I stand from the table not waiting for Roman, heading towards the weapon room. I do my best to ignore the effortlessly handsome man next to me but the tantalizing scent of his cologne is distracting me.
I clean the rifle I plan on using in silence, getting all of my gear ready as he does the same for his tech shit. The silence is tense, awkward, and every bit uncomfortable. Ugh, you’d think he’s the guy I had a one night stand with.
Is it a one night stand if you live with the person? My life is so messy now.
“This will be our communication device, don’t take it out this time” Reuben mumbles, handing me the headset. I swallow the snarky response and take the headset without a word, not looking up. I hear him sigh before coming around the table.
“This is also yours. The money from your last job.” I look at the envelope, finally looking up at the gorgeous man. Oh damn, he’s in a suit. A perfectly tailored, obviously expensive suit that makes him look fucking delicious. Even his hair is done without a flaw.
He has to be the most put together 23 year old man I’ve ever met. He’s talking but his pink lips are moving and distracting me. Sex last night has done nothing to quell my desire for him which is ridiculous considering how good it was.
“You’re not even listening to me” he sighs and I shrug not at all sorry for checking him out, I can’t be blamed at this point. I try to take the envelope but he holds it high above my head, rude. I cross my arms and look at him pointedly.
“What is it boss?”
“Is money all you care about Winter? Why do you hate me so much? Is your life so horrible now? Or would you rather be with your “friends” who sold you? And could’ve sold you to someone a lot worse.” He doesn’t yell but with the stern intensity and anger in his tone he doesn’t have to. I hate feeling like I’m being scolded. He asked so many questions I don’t know which to answer first.
“Well? Are you going to say anything?”
“Which question would you like me to answer first?” He crosses his arms, still holding the envelope and I roll my eyes. What’s with these men wanting to have reconciliations and shit?
“Why do you hate me so much?”
“I don’t hate you, Roman.”
“You could’ve fooled me.” I guess I have been a bitch to him for no reason.
“Okay, you’re right I’ve been a bitch and it’s uncalled for. My situation is much better off than it was before. Although I don’t like being bought and sold like cheap cattle, I can’t deny that life is better. Partially thanks to you I suppose, so thanks and I’m sorry for being a brat.” Roman nods, relaxing back into his serious state.
He really needs to relax more, but I guess that’s hard with his job. Killing people isn’t easy. If it wasn’t for Noé distracting me all night, I’m sure my mind would’ve been recapping the entire situation with Johnny. I’ve been trying to keep my mind occupied since I haven’t been able to sneak any drugs past Noé.
“We should start over again. My name is Roman Saville, I am 23 years old, and I want you to take over your father’s mafia. That was my intention for buying you. Of course I would’ve offered you a job, however, starting a pointless feud with someone who has eyes in the streets isn’t the smartest plan. So, I did what I thought was best.” Roman hands me the envelope full of cash but I barely pay it any mind.
“I have no interest in taking over the mafia. I mean, I don’t even know where to start and isn’t there some sort of hierarchy thing with mafia rules?”
“You’re Reuben’s eldest daughter. That makes you as eligible as Reggie.”
“And you think Reggie is just going to step aside? It seems he likes the high life as it is.” Roman doesn’t say anything as he goes back over to his side of the table in the massive weapons room. This place is even bigger than the one at the facility. They have a fucking crossbow, I’m definitely using that one day.
“If you prove that you are a better leader, then there will be no denying it. And if you sincerely don’t want to lead, you’d still be keeping Reggie in line. The family would fall under his leadership.” Roman speaks plainly like he’s stating a fact instead of criticizing his brother.
“Won’t he get pissed with you saying all that and trying to replace him before he’s even in charge?” I go back to getting the gun ready since I’ve been too distracted staring at Roman in his incredible suit.
“It doesn’t matter, it’s a fact that I’ve told him before. If he doesn’t grow up the mafia won’t survive and his easy going life will be over.” I sigh as I weigh the pros and cons.
“I can’t say that I’ll agree to that. I mean I just got here. I just killed someone for the first time, like unprovoked. I just learned about a father I never dreamed of having, I’m in the mafia now…My whole life has changed, Roman. For better or worse it takes some getting used to.” I still have this nagging feeling that the worst is yet to come, and I don’t want Roman to be a part of that worst.
He nods in understanding as he gathers all of his gear, thankfully not pushing it. He’s a lot more reasonable and forgiving than I could ever be, that’s for sure.
“Alright, I understand. All I ask is that you give it future consideration, once you’ve fully settled in.” I can’t believe I was really trying to push this guy away, what was I thinking?
“Okay, I can do that. But I have a question.” We both leave the weapons room with our gear and I follow him back upstairs.
“Yeah?”
“What’s the deal here? You guys are the mafia right? I know it’s not just relaxing and a couple of assignments here and there.” Roman looks at me, considering, as we stop at the top of the stairs. I know there’s more to this place, a darkness that I haven’t seen yet. Almost like it’s so kept under wraps it goes beyond the shadows in the darkest corner of these walls.
“Are you asking me where hell is?” Roman’s face changes into the deadly one I had yet to see. It’s still serious, but there’s a blazing fire that threatens to burn your bones to ashes. It’s kind of sexy, dangerous, threatening, intimidating, and completely worthy of the name Boss. I smirk and nod, my curiosity peaked.
“Yeah I am.” I’m not going to back down, like I told him, this is a lot better than the place I was in. The only reason I ever want to see Kyle and Travis is to give them a nice payback for selling me.
Roman goes back to normal just as fast and I’m starting to think there’s more to him just like this mafia. “Alright, put your things down for a moment and follow me.”